Mumbai identifies 131 air pollution hotspots; traffic junctions, construction sites under scanner

Mumbai has 131 identified air pollution hotspots, with traffic junctions and construction sites emerging as major contributors to the city’s pollution burden. Govandi-Shivaji Nagar tops the list with 25, followed by Worli and Lower Parel with 18. Even public spaces such as Dadar’s iconic Shivaji Park have not been spared.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Avinash Kate confirmed that 131 hotspots had been identified across the city. The mapping exercise has identified 41 major traffic junctions, 34 private construction sites and 24 government construction sites among the locations flagged.

These locations have been listed by the ward offices. We are going to study them to identify the causes of pollution,” a civic official from the Environment Department said, adding that the locations would be assessed before the final list was drawn up.

M/E Ward, covering Govandi and Shivaji Nagar, recorded the highest number of hotspots at 25. Heavy vehicle movement along the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR), coupled with construction activity, is among the factors contributing to pollution in the area.

G/South Ward, covering Worli and Lower Parel, followed, with 18 hotspots. Coastal Road and Sewree-Worli connector works, along with commercial traffic around Worli Naka and Senapati Bapat Marg, are among the major concerns.